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Alcohols and Phenols

18 free MDCAT Chemistry MCQs on Alcohols and Phenols (PM&DC syllabus), each with the answer, an explanation and the textbook line it comes from. Tap to check, no sign-up.

MDCAT (Pakistan)ChemistryPre-medical (Grade 12)18 questions

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  1. Question 1

    Organic compounds in which the -OH group is attached directly to an aromatic ring are:

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    Answer: C) Phenols

    Benzyl alcohol has -OH on a side chain, so it is an alcohol. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 245.

  2. Question 2

    The formation of an ester from an alcohol and a carboxylic acid is called:

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    Answer: D) Esterification

    Concentrated H2SO4 catalyses it; removing water drives the reversible reaction forward. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 260.

  3. Question 3

    Compounds in which an oxygen atom is linked to two alkyl or aryl groups are:

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    Answer: A) Ethers

    General formula R-O-R'. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 256.

  4. Question 4

    Preparing an ether by treating a sodium alkoxide with an alkyl halide is called:

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    Answer: B) Williamson's synthesis

    e.g. sodium methoxide + bromoethane -> ethyl methyl ether. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 258.

  5. Question 5

    An alcohol reacts with sodium metal to give hydrogen gas and an:

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    Answer: C) Alkoxide

    Shows that alcohols are weakly acidic. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 234.

  6. Question 6

    Oxidation of secondary alcohols with acidified Na2Cr2O7 first gives:

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    Answer: D) Ketones

    e.g. isopropyl alcohol -> acetone; further oxidation needs drastic conditions. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 243.

  7. Question 7

    Diethyl ether reacts with cold concentrated H2SO4 to give an:

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    Answer: A) Oxonium salt

    The ether oxygen donates an electron pair to H+. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 259.

  8. Question 8

    Alcohols boil much higher than the corresponding alkanes because of:

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    Answer: D) Hydrogen bonding

    -OH groups hydrogen-bond between molecules. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 232.

  9. Question 9

    Alcohols are less acidic than water because the alkyl group:

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    Answer: A) Releases electrons to oxygen

    More negative charge on oxygen makes losing H+ harder. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 234.

  10. Question 10

    The order of acidity of alcohols is:

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    Answer: B) Primary > secondary > tertiary

    More alkyl groups donate more electrons to oxygen, so tertiary alcohols are least acidic. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 234.

  11. Question 11

    Alcohols do not react with aqueous NaOH because they are:

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    Answer: C) Not acidic enough

    Phenol, being more acidic, does react with NaOH. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 235.

  12. Question 12

    Catalytic reduction (H2 over Ni or Pt) of a ketone gives a:

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    Answer: D) Secondary alcohol

    Aldehydes are reduced to primary alcohols. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 237.

  13. Question 13

    Under normal conditions, the alcohols that are stable to oxidation are:

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    Answer: B) Tertiary alcohols

    They have no hydrogen on the carbon bearing -OH. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 243.

  14. Question 14

    Primary alcohols are oxidized first to:

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    Answer: C) Aldehydes, then acids

    Secondary alcohols give ketones; tertiary alcohols resist oxidation. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 243.

  15. Question 15

    Ethylene glycol treated with periodic acid (or lead tetra-acetate) gives:

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    Answer: D) Formaldehyde

    With acidic KMnO4 or K2Cr2O7 it gives formic acid instead. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 244.

  16. Question 16

    Methanethiol and ethanethiol are added in small amounts to natural gas to:

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    Answer: A) Make leaks detectable by smell

    Lower thiols have strong, repulsive odours. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 245.

  17. Question 17

    Air oxidation of cumene, followed by treatment with dilute acid, gives phenol and:

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    Answer: C) Acetone

    Cumene is isopropyl benzene. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 250.

  18. Question 18

    Ethers react with hot concentrated HI or HBr to give:

    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Alcohol and alkyl halide

    With cold concentrated acid only an oxonium salt forms. Source: Chemistry 12 KPK (taleem360.com), p. 259.

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